Wednesday, August 20, 2014

One of the joys of this project has been discovered songs that might have been otherwise lost to time. Such is the case with the "lost" Decca Records demo by the Young Ages. Formed at North Meck High in 1966, the sextet were one of Charlotte's most popular bands during the Summer Of Love. In 1968, the band won a Big WAYS (AM 610) Battle Of The Bands contest. The band received a demo deal with Decca, and the chance to tour nationally.

The band recorded two songs at Arthur Smith Studios in the summer of 1968, The Four Tops' "Reach Out (I'll Be There)", and this song from the Bee Gees' first album. Soon after, two of the band members were drafted into Vietnam, robbing them of the chance to tour. The band was never the same, and their tape was later lost.

Through a series of circumstances, Melvin Cohen of Reliable Music ended up with the Young Ages demo. When Cohen passed away in 2004, the bulk of Cohen's collection was retrieved by Zan McLeod, who came up in the same Charlotte music scene as the Young Ages. It was McLeod that found the Young Ages tape, and personally delivered the tape to the band members from his current home base of Washington, DC.

In June of this year, I had the great honor of playing this song on WNCW, marking the first time that the song was played on the radio. And now, here it is online. Listen on, and enjoy.
-Daniel
August 20, 2014

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

While I'm announcing my involvement with upcoming shows in Charlotte, let's announce another big one. Kick Out The Garage: From The 60s To Now returns to Snug Harbor on Sept. 27th, starring Garage Rock legends The Woggles, with Temperance League, and Modern Primitives. Doors at 9pm, show at 10pm. MC'ed by yours truly. Spread the word, and let Rock & Roll save the world.-DanielAugust 11, 2014

Monday, August 11, 2014

While we're celebrating the announcement of our upcoming Mannish Boys/Sheila & Max of Arhooly reunion show at the Double Door Inn on November 15th, we decided to crank this Carolina nugget. Bandit Records, Asheville, NC, 1969. Is it psychedelia? Pop? Proto-funk? Why, yes. And the story behind the song is even funkier than we first knew. Check out our book for the full story on this song. Until then, play this loud, and let the groove wash all over you. Until next time,
-Daniel
August 11, 2014

Double Door Inn, November 15th, 9pm. The return of Max Drake and Shelia Grady Carlisle of Arhooly to the Double Door, co-headlining with the fabulous Mannish Boys. MC'ed by Daniel Coston. Spread the word, it's gonna be fun. More soon.-Daniel August 11, 2014

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

With our book promotion done for the moment, let's crank some of the songs that we feature in our book. This one comes from the fertile Fayetteville, NC scene, circa 1966. The Marke 5, and "Pay". You can also find this one of the Tobacco A Go Go Volumes. Enjoy.
-Daniel
August 5, 2014

About Me

I have been a traveler, a documentarian, an enjoyer of life, a survivor, a lead character, a supporting role, a storyteller, an excitable boy, a quiet soul, and an occasional thinker. All when the world asked me to, or all at the same time.